Laws That Every Truck Driver Must Abide By

Statistics show that nearly 13% of the 15.5 million trucks on the roadways in America are equipped with tractor trailers. These trucks are used to transport goods from one part of the country to another in a timely manner. There are a variety of industries who rely on truckers to get their products where they are needed. Over 500,000 trucking accidents occur on a yearly basis and nearly 5,000 of these accidents will cause fatalities. There are a number of laws and other safeguards in place to protect both truck drivers and other motorists safe. Read below to find out about the various laws and guidelines truck drivers must abide by.

Obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License

Due to the complexity that comes with driving a semi, a person will have to pass a test in order to get a commercial license to operate these large trucks. Typically, a truck driver will have to attend a variety of different classes in order to be eligible to receive a commercial driver’s license. If a truck driver is in a wreck and they do not have a commercial driver’s license, it could lead to them and their employer being sued by the injured party.

Getting The Right Amount of Rest

Recording “hours of service” is also a requirement for truck drivers. By filling out these documents, law enforcement will be able to tell how many hours of sleep a truck driver is getting. If the truck driver does not take enough time to rest, they could be fined for this offense. Fatigue is one of the leading cause of trucking accidents, which is why laws pertaining to the recording of “hours of service” have been instituted.

Abiding By Weight Restriction Laws

The total amount of weight a truck can haul at any given time relies solely on the size of the semi in question. If a truck driver or their employer ignore the weight restrictions of a rig, they could be putting motorists in danger. When the load on a semi is too heavy, it will make it hard for a truck driver to stop the rig and maneuver it safely. An overloaded diesel truck is like a time bomb waiting to go off.

Quality Control Is Important

Just like any other piece of machinery, a semi-truck will require maintenance in order to stay safe. When trucking business owners try to cut corners by neglecting to do maintenance to their rigs, they are essentially playing with fire. If an accident occurs due to mechanical failure, the maintenance records associated with the truck in question will be reviewed. If it is shown the trucking company was negligent in regards to getting maintenance done, they can be sued by the injured parties.

We Can Help You!

The team at Fetterman & Associates have handled many trucking accident cases. Call us at 561-316-2746 for more information on how we can help you following an accident. Our attorneys are here to provide you with guidance and to advise you of what your rights are after a trucking accident.